1974 Omega Speedmaster 125 Ref. 378.0801

Omega introduced the Speedmaster 125 in 1973 to celebrate their 125th anniversary, and the caliber 1041 chronometer certified automatic movement inside is unique to this model. OMEGA made the Speedmaster 125 for several years after the company’s 125th anniversary in 1973, with the latest being produced in 1978.  The Speedmaster 125 even made it to space on the wrist of Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Dzhanibekov during a 145 day mission in 1978.

The design quintessentially represents the aesthetic ethos of the 1970s, all rolled into one. This variation of the Speedmaster is large, bold, and heavy but constructed in a way that wears comfortably on the wrist, with its specially designed integrated bracelet.  The case is designed in a modular fashion, in which the outer and inner case are separated from one another, this was designed for easier servicing and extra protection.

The Ω logo is applied steel, as are the numerals in 125 and the letters in OMEGA. The letters and numerals are applied individually and not as a single, connected piece, which is highly unusual.

Premium Pricing: The US pricing for the caliber 861 Speedmaster Professional in 1973 was $225. The Speedmaster 125 was a whopping $425, a nearly 90% premium over the Moonwatch.  This was a top-of-the-line chronograph, priced as the latest and greatest in both design and technology. The marketing materials that supported the company’s 125th anniversary reflect this premium, luxury positioning.

This watch, while undeniably robust, was not intended to be the common working man’s everyday watch. Rather, it was intended to be a special watch worthy of a milestone anniversary for the wearer as well as the firm.

Movement: The Lemania-based caliber 1041 distinguishes itself as the first chronometer-certified automatic chronograph movement.

Bracelet:  It was specifically made for the Speedmaster 125, is fully integrated into the case, and is much more substantial than most OMEGA bracelets of the era. It is more on par with modern bracelets in terms of weight, fit, and finish.

Condition:

This Speedmaster 125 is in very good to excellent overall condition. The dial is in excellent condition without any visible imperfections ; all lume on the dial and hands is intact and has an even glow under UV light.  The mineral crystal is in pristine condition without any chips.

The case is in very good, unpolished condition with some light scratches from use.  Please refer to detailed macro photos which clearly show an imperfections. The caseback has the Hippocampus logo and has some scratches.   The original integrated bracelet is also in very good condition with a little stretch to 3 links closest to the watch head.  We have lightly polished the bracelet to remove surface scuffs & scratches from wear. 

The service history of the watch is not known. On the timegrapher the watch is running strongly and accurately for it's age losing less than 6 seconds per day with an amplitude of 258.   We offer the option to fully service the movement in-house at very reasonable cost prior to shipping. 

Specifications:

§  Dimensions: 51mm height x 42mm width; 15mm thickness

§  Crystal: Mineral glass

§  Lume: Yes, tritium

§  Caliber: Omega, self-winding, caliber 1041

§  Bracelet/Strap: Omega stainless steel bracelet reference 1221/212

§  Lug Width: N/A (due to the special construction of the bracelet, conventional straps/bracelets will not fit on this model).

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR BUYERS:
1. For shipping purpose: we will mark lower values at the Buyer’s request. We ship with discrete packaging.
2. We use DHL Express for international shipping. Shipping to most destinations is normally 2-3 days.
3. Preferred payment method is via bank transfer/wire.